#UAAP77: Meet The 2014-2015 Ateneo Blue Eaglets!

It’s a strange thing to still be talking UAAP basketball in December, but I take it that this is a sign that things are, indeed, changing. Moving the UAAP Juniors basketball calendar to the second semester is a good thing, of course, but that discourse is for another day. Right now, I’m just pumped to see that one of the most competitive high school hoops tourneys has finally kicked off. This past weekend saw the start #UAAP77 Juniors Basketball, and hoop nuts trooped to the Blue Eagle Gym to see some of the most promising young ballers pit wits on the hardwood.(For more detailed recaps, read #UAAP77 Juniors Basketball Roundup: November 29, 2014.)Naturally, I was happy seeing the new-look Ateneo Blue Eaglets strut their stuff in fashioning out a convincing opening day triumph over arch-rival De La Salle-Zobel. I’m not too happy about the Eaglets’ squandering a 21-point second half lead, but, at this early stage, the most important thing is they weathered a furious rally by the Junior Archers and notched the W.

It's UAAP Juniors basketball action again!
(images by Gil Salandanan)

A lot of players impressed in that contest, from the Batang Gilas triumvirate of Jolo Mendoza, Matt Nieto, and Team Captain Mike Nieto, to much-improved veterans Brix Ramos, Gian Mamuyac, Marc Salandanan, and Enzo Joson. Fans also got a first look at promising rookies like second-generation hoopster Shaun Ildefonso, his cousin, BJ Andrade, and big man Jossier Hassan. What makes this season’s iteration of the Eaglets extra interesting for me is the fact that there are only five seniors on this team and only seven holdovers from last year’s squad that reached the Season 76 Juniors Finals. That means that the 2014-2015 Eaglets are very young, and most of these guys will actually be back next season. Another curious thing about this team is that, as you will see in the individual profiles below, it doesn’t have imposing size. Hassan is the tallest at 6’4, while everyone else is 6’2 or shorter. The implication should be pretty obvious to any self-respecting hoop nut, of course — this team will be all about speed and shooting. It actually kinda reminds me of Gilas Pilipinas, and I like it.Here’s to hoping the Eaglets can bring the crown back to this side of Katipunan!#OBFMeet the 2014-2015 Ateneo Blue Eaglets:(all images by Enzo Flojo/Hoop Nut)